For the first ten years of her life, Phedre was thought to be flawed and useless. With a scarlet mote in her left eye, she was told that she would never be fit to serve in the service of Namah and would be kept hidden and silent her whole life. Now, almost 20 years later, she is the highest ranking courtesan, the Queen's closest friend and confidant, and the Comtese de Montrev. How could she possibly have gotten so far in her life? How could she go from damaged goods to the most wanted and highest paid courtesan in the realm? Everything she has become, she has Anafiel Delauny to thank for. .
At the age of ten, Phedre was purchased by Anafiel Delauny because of the supposed flaw in her left eye. Being a scholar, he knew that it was no flaw, but the mark of Kushiel, naming Phedre Kushiel's Chosen. Due to this rare and unseen mark, Anafiel knew that she would be highly sought after once everyone knew what exactly she was, a girl to whom pain and pleasure went hand in hand. But Anafiel had more in mind for Phedre than just the life of a courtesan. He would begin to teach her several different languages, she would be instructed in the histories, mathematics, and sciences, and most importantly, she would be trained as a spy.
Phedre spent endless hours being trained to listen, remember, and watch certain things and know what was and wasn't important to remember. Her and Alcuin (Anafiels other pupil) were drilled and tested unexpectedly on describing in detail a room or a number of different objects placed on a table, or being able to recall the important things mentioned in a long and drawn out conversation. They were taught to slink through a dark room unnoticed and were trained to be as quiet as possible when moving. Both Phedre and Alcuin became experts in the arts of going unseen and remember everything they saw. .
Spying, of course, wasn't the only thing the two children perfected. With the help of Cecilie, the greatest expert in the arts of Namah, Phedre and Alcuin were taught how to please their patrons and allow themselves to be pleased.